KU grad shines in Triple-A debut with Iowa Cubs

2016 KU Graduate Matt Swarmer made his pitching debut in Triple-A Baseball on August 19 for the Iowa Cubs in their road matchup against the Nashville Sounds.

Swarmer, 23, a 2012 Graduate of Governor Mifflin, performed solidly in the 4-0 victory, throwing for seven shutout innings and allowing only five hits and a lone walk.

The debut of the 6’5”, 175-pound right-handed pitcher saw 84 pitches, 62 of which were strikes.

In 2016, the Mohnton-native Swarmer became the 14th Golden Bear since 1997 to be selected in Major League Baseball’s first-year player draft. He was selected as the 548th pick for the 2016 all PSAC east pitcher from the Chicago Cubs organization.

With his 14th-round selection, Swarmer became the first KU product chosen in the MLB Draft since 2012, and the highest since 2009.

For much of the 2017 season, Swarmer pitched for the Single-A South Bend Cubs, where he made 14 appearances, striking out 52 and walking nine in 49 innings pitched.